This week on The Art of SBA Lending, I sit down with the incredible Alan Peterson, BDO from First Internet Bank. Alan isn't just closing deals; he's redefining what it means to be a top producer in SBA lending, reaching over $30 million year-to-date and tracking towards an astonishing $120 million annually!

Ray Drew and Alan dive deep into the mindset of a high-volume BDO, the strategic art of saying "no" to grow faster, and why true business value isn't always what it seems. They discuss navigating the complexities of deals, the crucial role of data and innovation in banking, and why being a trusted advisor is paramount.

🎯 In this episode:

• The Power of "No": How strategic selectivity leads to massive growth.

• MBA vs. Blue Collar: Understanding true business ownership and cash flow beyond the books.

• The Innovation Imperative: Why banks embracing data (like Lumos) are set to dominate the future of lending.

• Beyond the Brokers: Why sourcing 85% of your own deals makes you a more objective and effective advisor.

• Sleep Well Deals: The difference between simply buying a business and buying one you can actually sleep on.

• The Evolution of a Lender: How perspective and gratitude reshape your approach to the "hard" parts of the job.

💬 What are your thoughts on growing by saying "no" more often? Share your take in the comments!

🎙 This episode is sponsored by:

Lumos

Lumos empowers your small business lending growth with cutting-edge analytics and streamlined applications that optimize your performance.

If you're ready to take your small business lending to the next level with cutting edge analytics visit https://lumosdata.com/

Shatterbox

Learn how Shatterbox can help you hire and invest in bright young talent without breaking the bank. Go to https://shatterbox.io/artofsba and set up a discovery call today.

Loving The Art of SBA Lending episodes? Make sure to follow along with our sister shows, The BDO Show and SBA Today, each week with the links below!

Head to http://www.artofsba.com for more information and to sign up for our must-read monthly newsletter to stay up to date with The Art of SBA Lending.

This week on The Art of SBA Lending, we're sitting down with a true SBA powerhouse: Kirk Beeson, SBA Managing Director at Veritex Community Bank, and former Chief Credit Officer (and so much more!) at Fund-Ex Solutions Group.

Ray Drew and Kirk take a deep dive into the inside story of Fund-Ex: from its promising start-up days to navigating the chaos of PPP and the eventual sale.

What does it really take to build an SBA shop from the ground up? How do you maintain culture while scaling at lightning speed? And when do you know it's time to step away?

🎯 In this episode:

➡️The secrets to building a winning SBA culture (and why it matters)

➡️Navigating the PPP whirlwind: Lessons learned from the front lines

➡️The dangers of burnout and how to avoid them

➡️Why interviewing your credit officer is non-negotiable

➡️Kirk's insights on leadership, strategy, and the future of SBA lending

💬 What are your biggest takeaways from Kirk's journey? Join the conversation in the comments!

🎙️ This episode is sponsored by:

CORPSMART

Want to win over your closing team?

Next time you pick up a deal involving titled assets, go to http://www.corp-smart.com/artofsba and request a quote for tax, tag, and title so you can structure your loan correctly right from the jump.

When it comes to titling vehicles, boats, and aircrafts, CORPSMART has the knowledge to assist you confidently. CORPSMART offers full service titling solutions, working directly with the local agencies to get your titles processed accurately and on-time. If you’ve struggled with recording titles, reach out to support@corp-smart.com to learn more about their services.

Rapid Business

Plans Rapid Business Plans is the go-to provider of business plans and feasibility studies for government guaranteed small business lenders.

For more information, or to set up a Get Acquainted call go to https://rapidbusinessplans.com/art-of-sba

SBA Jobs Board

Hiring for your SBA department? We’ve got you covered!

The SBA Jobs Board is here to bridge the gap between you and top SBA talent. Our Art of SBA Lending audience is packed with experts ready for their next career move.

List your openings with us to connect with the best in the industry and find the right fit for your team. Live now on our new Art of SBA Website | https://www.artofsba.com/job-board

Loving The Art of SBA Lending episodes? Make sure to follow along with our sister shows,

The BDO Show and SBA Today, each week with the links below!

https://www.youtube.com/@TheBDOShow https://www.youtube.com/@SBAToday

Head to http://www.artofsba.com for more information and to sign up for our must-read monthly newsletter to stay up to date with The Art of SBA Lending.

This week on The Art of SBA Lending, we're confronting the hard truth: the traditional SBA lending model no longer works. Rising overhead, margin compression, and tighter audits have flipped the economics, and now, shops across the country are closing or scrambling to restructure.

So what’s the new model? And how do you scale without losing control?

Ray Drew is joined by three SBA leaders navigating this shift in real time. Mike Breckheimer, Brian Carlson, and Chris Kwiatkowski are coming together to unpack the numbers, the pitfalls, and the path forward.

🎯 In this episode:

➡️ Why SBA shops under $100MM are being forced to adapt or exit
➡️ How the LSP model is evolving (and where it still falls short)
➡️ The new math of SBA lending: headcount, volume, and cost per deal
➡️ Scaling smart with culture, compliance, and contingency planning
➡️ The role of AI, tariffs, and talent in shaping tomorrow’s strategy

💬 The SBA world is changing fast: are you adjusting with it?
Listen now and let us know how your model is holding up.

🎙This episode is sponsored by:

Lumos

Lumos empowers your small business lending growth with cutting-edge analytics and streamlined applications that optimize your performance.

If you're ready to take your small business lending to the next level with cutting edge analytics visit lumosdata.com.

Shatterbox

Learn how Shatterbox can help you hire and invest in bright young talent without breaking the bank. Go to https://shatterbox.io/artofsba and set up a discovery call today.

SBA Jobs Board

Hiring for your SBA department? We’ve got you covered! The SBA Jobs Board is here to bridge the gap between you and top SBA talent. Our Art of SBA Lending audience is packed with experts ready for their next career move. List your openings with us to connect with the best in the industry and find the right fit for your team. Live now on our new Art of SBA Website | https://www.artofsba.com/job-board

Loving The Art of SBA Lending episodes? Make sure to follow along with our sister shows, The BDO Show and SBA Today, each week with the links below!

https://www.youtube.com/@TheBDOShow

https://www.youtube.com/@SBAToday

Head to http://www.artofsba.com for more information and to sign up for our must-read monthly newsletter to stay up to date with The Art of SBA Lending.